Bentley’s Album Release Concert Shows Virtues of “Home”

The enthusiasm of the fans lining the pews last night (Feb. 2) at the Ryman Auditorium was matched only by the enthusiasm of performer Dierks Bentley. The album release concert was a night-long love affair between Bentley and the audience, comprised of fans, collaborators, and members of the music industry.

His passion translated equally across new songs from Home, due out Tuesday (Feb. 7), and nearly decade-old hits. Bentley showcased with pride his latest tunes, a quality mix of traditional country (“Heart of A Lonely Girl”), and contemporary hits-in-waiting (“5-1-5-0”). The album has already yielded radio success with the poignant title track, and party-hearty “Am I The Only One.”

Guests who appear on the recordings also joined him on stage. Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild is a splendid duet partner on “When You Gonna Come Around,” and Bentley’s three-year-old daughter, Evie, is an adorable guest on “Thinking of You.”

The evening exemplified Bentley’s widely varying influences, with covers including Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” which Bentley used as a clever transition into his kiss-off hit, “How Am I Doin.’” He laughed, “Sorry, Hank. I had to find a way to get into this song.” It was one of a slew of back-catalog favorites he offered including “Every Mile A Memory,” “Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do,” and “Free and Easy (Down The Road I Go).”

Bentley was thrilled to revisit his previous bluegrass-roots project Up On The Ridge, joined by guest Del McCoury for “Draw Me A Map,” and U2’s “Pride (In The Name of Love).” Gathered around the center stage mic, the singers and band members were a visually striking image, with McCoury’s grey jacket and silver hair standing in sharp contrast to Bentley and company’s black attire.

Talented opener Will Hoge shared the honor of being one the last performers on the Ryman’s historic stage before it is replaced. He hopped from piano to guitar to harmonica throughout his set, touching on as many influences as Bentley. Appropriately, Hoge recounted, “People are always asking me, ‘Will Hoge, are you a country artist, a rock artist or a soul artist?’ The answer is yes.”

Hoge had plenty of reasons to celebrate with his hometown crowd. His song “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” is the current single by Eli Young Band and he is heading out on tour with Bentley.

 

Sales Report: The Quiet Season

It lacked the pomp and glamour of the Kentucky Derby or the firery roar of the Daytona 500, but the 2012 Sales Year has now officially begun. But I’m not complaining, because it always starts quietly. Actually the year doesn’t get tightly wound until the last 6 weeks of the calendar year when the holidays induce the mouse-click-mania which still accounts for an enormous percentage of country’s annual sales. In fact, during 2011, country music shifted over 25% of its total album sales during the final two months!

But there are some promising signs among this year’s early album data as we carefully look over the wealth of info collected by the venerable folks at Nielsen SoundScan. Most notably, country ends Jan. 2012 with a 4.7% lead in YTD album sales over 2011 and a total of 2.621 million units. Helping to move the needle were No. 1 and No. 2 country album chart debuts this week from Tim McGraw (No. 1; 68k) and Kellie Pickler (No. 2; 27k).

To add a pinch of perspective, we should note that in 2010 Lady Antebellum released Need You Now during the last week of January and debuted with 481k units for a YTD total of 2.770 million. If we use that as a baseline, this year’s sales would be down 5.3%. But however you chose to view things, it remains early in the year and too soon for meaningful projections, except with regard to release schedules, which are also still pretty vague. Next up on our CD country radar is Home from Dierks Bentley which debuts Feb. 7.

The percentage of country albums sold as digital downloads continues to rise. YTD 2012 about 27% of the total albums were purchased as downloads which shows an increase over last year when the digital percentage at this time was about 23.5%. Debut week digital sales are usually higher than the eventual average. For example this week: Tim McGraw’s disc sales were 34% digital, and Kellie Pickler’s were 33%.

Filling out the Top 5 country album sales for the week are Luke Bryan (No. 3; 16k), Lady Antebellum (No. 4; 15k), and Jason Aldean (No. 5; 13k).

Track Talk
The world of tracks continues to be a goldmine for the circle of artists with mouse-clicking fans. For example, nestled in the Top 20 tracks of the Digital Genre Country Top 100, we find 17 different artists with total Top 20 sales of 649,914 units or a little in excess of 50% of the entire Top 100 country digital tracks list. Another way to illustrate the space between the haves and have-nots is to show that this week, Toby Keith, Luke Bryan and Taylor Swift account for almost 23.41% of the entire Top 100 country track sales!

So a little like the groundhog who comes out to assess winter and maybe see his shadow, let’s settle back in, because it’s too early for predictions and such. We’ll take a peek in a few weeks to see if we see Dierks’ sales shadow…

Until then–Buy Country!

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/01/12)

Every now and then I am reminded of why I do this job.

This week, that reminder came after listening to the thrilling new collection by Gretchen Peters. Her Hello Cruel World album is so great it is practically terrifying. She tore me apart with every song. There is going to be a star in Frank Liddell’s crown for bringing this songwriter into the Carnival family. Needless to say, Gretchen has the Disc of the Day.

I’ll spread the love around. This week, Alan Jackson reminded me of why I cherish Real Country Music as much as I do. His new EMI single gets the male Disc Award.

The Dirt Drifters reminded me how much joy it brings me to see a young act on its way up the ladder of success. Give those country-rocking chaps the group Disc Prize.

KELLY PARKES/Don’t Make Me
Writer: Keith Follese/Adrienne Follese/Nicole Johnson/Vencent Hickerson; Producer: Darren Smith & Mark Lambert; Publisher: The Family Business/Overall Attraction/3 in Key/Denham Jeans, BMI/SESAC; Edge (CDX)
—It’s a big-production pop ballad. Her soprano delivery is sure footed and true, but there’s not much memorable “character” in her style.

TRACY LAWRENCE/Pills
Writer: none listed; Producer: Flip Anderson & Tracy Lawrence; Publisher: none listed; LMG (track) (www.tracylawrence.com)
—Tracy’s album The Singer is an audio delight of crisp simplicity. The song selections are superb, and nowhere more so than with this bopping, witty, swinging, sideways look at our pharmaceutical dependence and over indulgence. Essential listening.

GRETCHEN PETERS/The Matador
Writer: Gretchen Peters; Producer: Doug Lancio, Gretchen Peters & Barry Walsh; Publisher: Circus Girl/Carnival, ASCAP; Scarlet Letter (track) (www.gretchenpeters.com)
—You think you’re a songwriter? One listen to Gretchen’s new Hello Cruel World CD will have you thinking again. She has the uncanny ability to not only create commercial hooks, but also to pen lyrics with something to say (witness her prior “The Secret of Life,” “Independence Day,” “If Heaven,” “Let That Pony Run,” “My Baby Loves Me,” “The Chill of an Early Fall,” or “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am”). This stunning first single/video is a hushed ballad of love, violence and artistic striving. If you care about real song craftsmanship, it will bring you to your knees. Buy This Record Now.

JASON ALDEAN/Fly Over States
Writer: Neil Thrasher/Michael Dulaney; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sweet Summer/BMG Gold/Major Bob/Circle C/Mojave Rain/Full Circle, ASCAP; Broken Bow (track)
—The lyric is simply sensational, a first-class ode to the American heartland. My only quibble is that the title phrase isn’t married to a super melodic hook. As usual, Jason’s performance and Michael’s production are dynamite.

ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND/Here We Are Again
Writer: Ernie Haase/Wayne Haun/Joel Lindsey; Producer: Wayne Haun; Publisher: ErnieSigSound/Blackberry Town/Bridge Building/Hefton Hill, BMI; Stowtown (www.erniehaase.com)
—The tradition of country-gospel harmony singing exemplified by The Oak Ridge Boys and The Statler Brothers is being admirably upheld by this outfit. Its new CD mixes traditional material (”Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “I Believe,” “Stand By Me”) with newly composed tunes, often by the group’s members. This title tune showcases all four voices in turn, from the sub-cellar bass to the attic-rafter tenor.

THE DIRT DRIFTERS/There She Goes
Writer: none listed; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros. (track)
—I like these guys, and this is their best yet. This time around, the ultra-cool lead vocal is answered by a ghostly “Greek chorus” commenting on his heartbreak while the country-rock track canters along with chiming guitars and dusty percussion. Delicious sounding.

CHANCE CODY & SPUR 503/You Can’t Argue with That
Writer: Chuck Allen Floyd/Jenn Schott; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Spur 503 (www.spur503.com)
—They have talent, but the mix is mighty muddy. Go for a cleaner sound next time.

DOLLY PARTON & QUEEN LATIFAH/Not Enough
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Mervyn Warren; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; WaterTower (track)
—I haven’t seen the movie Joyful Noise, but I can tell you that the soundtrack is a delight. In addition to gospel-ized versions of “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Man in the Mirror,” “I Want to Take You Higher,” “That’s the Way God Planned It,” and the like, you get three new Dolly tunes. This hand clapper kicks things off with a full soul choir backing the film’s two stars. Latifah holds her own opposite the always-exuberant Dolly.

ALAN JACKSON/So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore
Writer: Adam Wright/Jay Knowles; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Alrighty Den/Dean-Parnell/Acme Nashville, BMI; EMI (CDX)
—Alan begins a new recording chapter with a plain-spoken heartache ballad that packs a massive emotional wallop, thanks to its terrific songwriting and his devastating vocal. This man is a country-music master, through and through.

THE McCLYMONTS/I Could Be a Cowboy
Writer: Brooke McClymont/Samantha McClymont/Mollie McClymont/Nathan Chapman; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: EMI Australia/Copy Control/Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; BSM (track) (www.themcclymonts.net)
—Their creamy harmonies remain audio perfection. Brooke’s throat-catching lead vocal grabs your attention immediately, while Nathan’s production finesse continues to amaze. I particularly liked the mandolin bubbling in and out of the mix.

Charlie Cook On Air: The Spring Book

We are getting close to an important time of the year for the smaller market country radio stations in America. Twice a year hundreds of markets are measured by Arbitron to gauge their audience. The bigger markets are measured continuously and a number of markets are also measured in the Winter and Summer months but the smaller markets participate only twice a year.

The Spring Rating period starts March 29. This is just a couple of days before the Academy of Country Music Awards Show April 1 from the MGM Arena in Las Vegas. The timing is good for both the stations and the show.

That’s why I am talking about this two months before the event. Stations tend to try and raise their profile during the rating period and the ACM is going to get a ton of exposure as the rating book starts, on CBS-TV, in magazines, and on the Internet. This is all good for raising the awareness of Country Music and Country Radio.

If this is good for Country Radio it is also good for the Country record business. Shouldn’t there be something that we can all do together?

We know that the big stars are going to be doing new music on the show. I heard of a duet coming from what is going to be the biggest show of the year. We know that radio is going to be playing the big acts.

What if a label did a “national” contest taking the tune in from the TV show and moving the audience into radio station morning shows on Monday morning?  Watch the show, listen for the new song from, let’s pick Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, and when the station plays that song Monday morning between 7-8 AM, listeners can call for a chance to get registered for a trip to see The Brothers Under the Sun concert.

There can be a lot of unaffiliated stations involved in a promotion like this. Make it a Clear Channel-like contest with any number of stations willing to participate. This would get exposure across a number of stations for the TV show and for the performers. This would be good for the radio station and for the listeners.

Wait a minute: a win-win-win-win.

I keep saying that the format is again at a jumping off point. We have so many acts that have broken out of Country only. We have some of the best music on the radio today. Young acts like Jason (who will be on the Grammy Awards next weekend), Eric Church and ZBB bring vibrancy to Country Radio but do not get lulled into thinking there is no competition on the radio for your listeners.

Lady A, The Band Perry and Jason Aldean are all over AC/CHR but Adele, Colbie Caillat and Bruno Mars are very attractive alternatives to our audience.

Country Music and Country Radio should be thinking about ways to work more closely to wrestle these AC listeners away from their stations. I am not questioning the relationship between the two but let’s think more about building the entire format and not just individual songs or labels.

The Awards show, the beginning of the rating period for the smaller stations and beginning of the concert season all seem like a great time to swing for the fences. (I know, the baseball season starts that weekend too).

Ram Truck Brand Goes Country For “Ram Jam” Concert

The Ram Truck brand is presenting “Road to the Ram Jam,” an all-star series with five country artists leading up to an invitation-only concert event December 29 in Nashville where all five artists will perform.

Kellie Pickler is the first of the five artists to be announced, and is offering fans a chance to win a download of her single “Tough” by entering to win a trip to the Ram Jam. Remaining artists will be announced throughout 2012, and all will receive a one year lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn which will later be auctioned off to benefit military-focused charities.

“Road to the Ram Jam extends the brand’s already established alignment with many of today’s top country music artists and their far-reaching fan bases by creating an innovative platform for promoting the artists’ music and connecting with their fans,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram Truck Brand. “We are excited to have Kellie and all the artists drive a Laramie Longhorn and experience firsthand the quality and refinement that make it the most luxurious Ram Truck ever produced by the company.”

Competing fans will have access to exclusive video content plus the chance to win collectible posters, vinyl records, downloads, and trips to the Ram Jam concert. For more information or to enter the sweepstakes, visit http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/road_to_ram_jam/.

Willie Nelson to Release New Music Under Sony

Sony Music’s catalog division Legacy Recordings has entered into a new record deal with County Music Hall of Famer Willie Nelson. It is a reunion of sorts, as Nelson’s nearly 20 year tenure on Columbia Records from 1975-1993 resulted in some of his best known and loved work beginning with the essential 1975 album Red Headed Stranger.

Under the agreement, the label plans to release five brand new Willie Nelson albums with the first due out in Spring 2012. Additionally, Nelson will be working with label archivists to personally curate tracks both released and unreleased for compilations and bonus material on reissues of his existing albums.

“I’m really happy to be back home with Sony Music. We have been partners for many years; all the way back to Pamper Music and Tree Music. We share a great history, and I’m looking forward to many more years together,” said Nelson.

Louvin Brothers Saga Detailed In New Autobiography

Written by Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin (before his Jan. 26, 2011 death) with author Benjamin Whitmer, Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers [Igniter Publishing], is a fascinating first-person recollection of the origin, success, and demise of one of the greatest harmony duos in musical history. The Louvin Brothers’ Capitol Records albums Tragic Songs of Life and Satan Is Real have endured to become treasured documents of traditional country, and their massive influence extends to Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, The Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and countless others.

Ira and Charlie Loudermilk, born to hardscrabble farm surroundings in Sand Mountain, Alabama, honed their harmonizing skills as children through Sacred Harp church singing traditions and mastering centuries-old folk songs like “Mary of the Wild Moor.” They later added a guitar and mandolin to the mix, playing regional shows and radio spots as the Radio Twins. They adopted the Louvin Brothers stage name while in Knoxville for ease of spelling. After they had begun building a following, they event opened shows for a young Elvis Presley before realizing their lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry. But for every good time, there’s an equally dark time, and this story doesn’t end happily for everyone.

Charlie narrates the book in a raw, plainspoken style, and it appears co-author Whitmer (to his credit) didn’t fuss too much with editing out the swear words or homespun vernacular. Much of the book focuses on the troubled relationship between Charlie and Ira, who was cursed with a self-destructive streak that haunted him until his death in 1965. Tales of smashed instruments, domestic disputes, and fist fights abound, playing in stark contrast to the fire and brimstone gospel that permeates their gospel work like Satan Is Real. Charlie also doesn’t mince words about how country music has changed over the last few years, what it’s like for older members of the Grand Ole Opry, or his feelings on some of his artist contemporaries.

The pulp novel cover design is marvelous, featuring the unforgettable Satan Is Real album image of the brothers in pristine white suits, singing for our very souls in front of a giant burning plywood Satan. The edges have been distressed and a 10 cent badge (for looks only–retail price is $22.99) is affixed to the corner to give it the appearance of being a shelf-worn volume from the mid-20th century. Between chapters the spine is illustrated with ink flames, and the pages include photos of Charlie and Ira from all stages of their career.

It’s brutally honest, even humorous on occasion, in highlighting the Louvin’s brotherly bond and the great music they created together. Highly recommended for fans of the traditional stuff or anyone looking to hear history straight from one of its makers.

Shelton Celebrates Certifications, Heads To Super Bowl With Lambert

 

Warner Music Nashville Pres. and CEO John Esposito and his team surprised Shelton at his sold-out show in Duluth, GA this past Friday, Jan. 27 with three plaques to commemorate his success.

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert will share the stage at Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5. The couple will open the event by singing a duet version of “America the Beautiful.” Super Bowl XLVI will mark the husband and wife’s first TV performance since their nuptials last May. Their version of “America the Beautiful” will be available on iTunes beginning today (1/31).

Following the Super Bowl, Shelton will be returning to the second season of the hit TV show The Voice, premiering Sunday at 10PM ET on NBC.

On Friday he celebrated the RIAA Platinum certification of hit single “God Gave Me You,” and Gold certification of albums Red River Blue and Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton (pictured above).

In more news, Shelton and Lambert recently rescheduled tour dates due to the death of his father, and Lambert rescheduled a Feb. 3 stop in Tallahassee, FL due to the death of her longtime friend Mark Adams.

Pickler Hosts a Night of Canine Couture

Susie Brown of the JaneDear girls models with a puppy named Russia

Last Saturday (1/21), the Nashville Humane Association (NHA) hosted its 2nd Annual Hollywoof Unleashed event at the Hutton Hotel in midtown Nashville. The event allowed the hotel to go to the dogs for the night. Attendees brought their canines as dates for an evening of food and fido-fashion. Emceed by Kellie Pickler, the night included a canine-friendly red carpet, a Pedigree dog buffet, a silent auction, a live auction, dinner and a runway show.

Each dog that walked the runway was available for adoption through NHA. All the canines that modeled sported a “couture” fashion look and were accompanied by celebrity dog walkers, including: Jimmy Wayne, Susie Brown, Allison DeMarcus, Sarah Darling, Heather Byrd, Margaret Ellis, Jeffrey Garner, Dean Miller and Russell Hitchcock among others. A number of dogs that modeled that night were promptly adopted the following day.

Pickler charmed the audience through the show, keeping it light-hearted and fun even when a few of the adoptable dogs got stage fright about strutting their stuff in a packed ballroom. “Show ’em a little love!” Pickler encouraged the crowd, when a shy black lab named Big Boy (walked by Wayne) suddenly had second thoughts about his runway debut.

Kellie Pickler and Caitlin Rantala

After the runway show, Pickler, who has a black and white Chihuahua affectionately named Moo Moo, stopped by the silent auction room to peruse the Baxter and Bailey stand. Silent auction items ranged from dog beds to Diana Ross tickets. In total, the silent auction raised over $5,000 for NHA.

Next month, Pickler is extending her fashionista style to feline counterparts. The Fresh Step brand has partnered with Pickler and fashion designer Geren Ford to design a limited-edition cat sweater.

Pickler models available sweater. Photo: Russ Harrington

Cat lovers who aren’t in the market for a new sweater can still participate in the good cause. The Fresh Step Facebook page houses an online application that lets people digitally place the Pickler sweater onto a photo of themselves on Facebook. The Fresh Step litter team will donate $1 to the ASPCA for every photo posted, through Mar. 15, 2012, up to $100,000.

“I collaborated with fellow cat lover and designer Geren Ford to create a sweater that we hope any cat parent would wear to show their kitty pride and that all animal lovers can wear in support of the ASPCA,” said Pickler.

The oatmeal heather-colored tunic “Kitty Crooner” sweater will be available for purchase online for $35 at www.aspcaonlinestore.com, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the ASPCA.

Pickler’s third studio album, 100 Proof, was released Tuesday (1/24).

CMA Salutes Triple Play Songwriters

CMA congratulates this year's Triple Play Award winners at the annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon. Pictured (l-r): Troy Tomlinson (CMA Board President-Elect), Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Luke Bryan, Dave Turnbull, Rhett Akins, Jason Sellers, Casey Beathard, Chris DuBois, and Steve Moore (CMA CEO). Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Events at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are always fantastic and Tuesday’s CMA Songwriters Luncheon in the Hall’s Conservatory was no exception. The occasion celebrated songwriters who penned three chart-topping hits in a 12 month period to earn the elusive CMA Triple Play Award.

Presiding over the occasion was CMA Board President-Elect Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. “How someone can walk into a room with a blank legal pad and walk out with a song is magic,” he began. “They create something out of thin air that moves us. They put into words and music what the rest of us feel but can’t articulate.”

“Nashville is legendary for its songwriters and their ability to convey the triumphs and tragedies of everyday life,” agreed Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, before beginning the trophyfest.

As awards were presented attendees nibbled on tasty mixed greens with raspberry vinaigrette, beef tenderloin, prawn skewers, creamy mashed potatoes, and a winter root vegetable medley. Cheesecake for dessert and wine offerings—including one of my personal faves Arrington Vineyards’ Stag’s White—brought smiles to the faces of many munchers.

Tomlinson’s affable demeanor lets him get away with plenty of good-natured ribbing. Songwriter honoree Jason Sellers was on the receiving end of a few friendly jokes from the podium after stumbling into the conservatory cascade pool while posing for a photo. “I’m soaked from the knees down,” he exclaimed while accepting his award.

Fellow honoree Casey Beathard also drew plenty of applause when Tomlinson noted that the songwriter with 25 top ten hits to his credit also has five children. “That’s a five to one ratio,” declared Tomlinson. “Go home and get busy making some more hits.”

Several artist-writers were among the winners. Luke Bryan arrived fresh from the studio, but scheduling conflicts prevented Brad Paisley, Hillary Scott, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown, and ZBB member Wyatt Durrette from attending. Good thing for Tomlinson, who admitted he had run out of adjectives for Swift a long time ago.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of adjectives and applause for honorees Dave Turnbull and Chris DuBois, Paisley’s frequent collaborators.

Garnering a remarkable two Triple Play Awards each were Brown and Dallas Davidson. After his standing ovation, Davidson looked at hometown buddy Bryan and recalled the early days when they stared at Triple Play Awards but earning one seemed next to impossible. He said, “I’m blessed to be able to do this for a living and I’ll never take it for granted.”

Rhett Akins qualified for a Triple Play Award when his song “I Don’t Want This Night To End” slid into the top spot on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart just before his 12 months was up. The song recently made its way to the top spots of both the BDS and Mediabase charts as well.

It’s no surprise that when a songwriter is on a roll, publisher BJ Hill calls it “Luke Lairding.” That hitmaker, who is starting his own publishing company with wife Beth, said gratefully, “I love music so much and I feel blessed by God to get to make it every day.”

“Any songwriter realizes that to get a song recorded and then have it make it to the top of the charts requires the alignment of every single star in the universe,” summed Tomlinson. “But to have three songs do that in such a short period of time is truly exceptional.”

CMA Triple Play Award winners

Rhett Akins: “Honey Bee,” “Take a Back Road,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Casey Beathard: “The Boys of Fall,” “Come Back Song,” “Just Fishin'”
Zac Brown: “Highway 20 Ride,” “Free,” “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather,” “Knee Deep,” “Keep Me in Mind”
Luke Bryan: “Rain is a Good Thing,” “Someone Else Calling You Baby,” “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)”
Dallas Davidson: “All About Tonight,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” “All Over Me,” “Just a Kiss,” “We Owned the Night”
Chris DuBois: “Water,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”
Wyatt Durrette: “Highway 20 Ride,” “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather”
Luke Laird: “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Take a Back Road,” “Drink In My Hand”
Brad Paisley: “Water,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”
Hillary Scott: “Our Kind of Love,” “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Just a Kiss”
Jason Sellers: “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” “I Won’t Let Go,” “I Got You”
Taylor Swift: “Mine,” “Back to December,” “Mean”
Dave Turnbull: “The Boys of Fall,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”